Read Online Mercy & Mayhem: A Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery by Ava Mallory - Free Book Online
Authors: Ava Mallory
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happened.
“You know I couldn't have done this, don't you? You see that, right? I mean, what motive would I have?” Now, I was questioning what happened.
“Motives? You see, that's what all this reality television does to people. They all think they're the next great detective. They think they can solve cases with no problem. Is that what you think this is? Some reality show or some hoax? Mr. Knott is dead. You're telling me that you have no idea how he ended up that way?” Sheriff Wagner's eyebrows furrowed as he bore his eyes into mine.
We sat in silence for a few long seconds while I contemplated quitting my job altogether and finding another line of work.
Finally, the Sheriff stood up, offering his hand, “Well, thank you for the chat. Remind me again, how long you'll be with us.”
I saw my life flash before my eyes. This man seriously thought I had something to do with Rowdy's death. Now, it was up to me to solve this mystery before this small town pinned his murder on me.
*
Walking in the door for what would be my next shift at Valley took every last ounce of courage I could muster. After being pulled out of here for an interview with the Sheriff, I could guarantee that no one was going to be too thrilled to see my face again.
“You can do this.” I told myself, even though I didn't believe it one bit.
I hadn't noticed the receptionist when I'd arrived the other day, but now she sat front and center, looking me over like I'd just landed on Earth from somewhere unknown. Figuring she probably hadn't heard about me yet, I waved and offered a friendly smile.
“Hi! How are you this morning?” I asked her.
My attempt at charming the receptionist failed. No sooner had I gotten the words out of my mouth before she turned her seat completely around and grabbed a phone to make a call.
“Okay, then.” I knew when I wasn't wanted. I took a deep breath and proceeded to walk down the hall to the dementia unit. Thankfully, the hall was virtually empty. At this time of day, most residents weren't awake yet and staff would be busy finishing up their shift duties.
Opening the door to the dementia unit, I took a deep breath and stepped in as quickly as possible, hoping that this day would be vastly different from my first experience here.
“Well, Dodge Charger, where have you been? I've been waiting all day for you!” The sound of Nubbin's voice sent me nearly flying out of my skin. I hadn't seen him when I stepped onto the unit.
“Good Morning, Nubbin! How are you this morning?” I was glad for the distraction. It gave me enough time to assess the mood on the unit and to see where my illustrious leader was at the moment.
“Still breathing. I don't know for how much longer, but enough for now.” He answered, eyeing the bags I held in my hands.
“Well, you sound chipper this morning. Did you sleep well last night?” I asked, still seeing no sign of Kathy or any of the other staff members nearby. They must have been busy helping residents, I figured.
“I haven't had a good night's sleep in years. At least, not since I moved into this dump. No one lets people sleep around here, especially with all the murdering and other stuff we have going on here.”
“Murdering? Um... Nubbin, who said that anyone was murdered?” I asked, finally seeing one of the nurse's aides down the hall.
She looked up at me and immediately turned her head. I guess that made me persona non grata. The sinking feeling that I had from the moment I arrived in this town returned. My stay here wasn't going to end well. I just knew it.
Behind me, Kathy's voice startled me. “Are you working or visiting? I'd like to go home.”
“Hi, Kathy. You're going home?” I asked. No one informed me that I was supposed to have worked overnight.
“Yes, I'd like to go home. Now, are you working or not?” Kathy's attitude was
“You know I couldn't have done this, don't you? You see that, right? I mean, what motive would I have?” Now, I was questioning what happened.
“Motives? You see, that's what all this reality television does to people. They all think they're the next great detective. They think they can solve cases with no problem. Is that what you think this is? Some reality show or some hoax? Mr. Knott is dead. You're telling me that you have no idea how he ended up that way?” Sheriff Wagner's eyebrows furrowed as he bore his eyes into mine.
We sat in silence for a few long seconds while I contemplated quitting my job altogether and finding another line of work.
Finally, the Sheriff stood up, offering his hand, “Well, thank you for the chat. Remind me again, how long you'll be with us.”
I saw my life flash before my eyes. This man seriously thought I had something to do with Rowdy's death. Now, it was up to me to solve this mystery before this small town pinned his murder on me.
*
Walking in the door for what would be my next shift at Valley took every last ounce of courage I could muster. After being pulled out of here for an interview with the Sheriff, I could guarantee that no one was going to be too thrilled to see my face again.
“You can do this.” I told myself, even though I didn't believe it one bit.
I hadn't noticed the receptionist when I'd arrived the other day, but now she sat front and center, looking me over like I'd just landed on Earth from somewhere unknown. Figuring she probably hadn't heard about me yet, I waved and offered a friendly smile.
“Hi! How are you this morning?” I asked her.
My attempt at charming the receptionist failed. No sooner had I gotten the words out of my mouth before she turned her seat completely around and grabbed a phone to make a call.
“Okay, then.” I knew when I wasn't wanted. I took a deep breath and proceeded to walk down the hall to the dementia unit. Thankfully, the hall was virtually empty. At this time of day, most residents weren't awake yet and staff would be busy finishing up their shift duties.
Opening the door to the dementia unit, I took a deep breath and stepped in as quickly as possible, hoping that this day would be vastly different from my first experience here.
“Well, Dodge Charger, where have you been? I've been waiting all day for you!” The sound of Nubbin's voice sent me nearly flying out of my skin. I hadn't seen him when I stepped onto the unit.
“Good Morning, Nubbin! How are you this morning?” I was glad for the distraction. It gave me enough time to assess the mood on the unit and to see where my illustrious leader was at the moment.
“Still breathing. I don't know for how much longer, but enough for now.” He answered, eyeing the bags I held in my hands.
“Well, you sound chipper this morning. Did you sleep well last night?” I asked, still seeing no sign of Kathy or any of the other staff members nearby. They must have been busy helping residents, I figured.
“I haven't had a good night's sleep in years. At least, not since I moved into this dump. No one lets people sleep around here, especially with all the murdering and other stuff we have going on here.”
“Murdering? Um... Nubbin, who said that anyone was murdered?” I asked, finally seeing one of the nurse's aides down the hall.
She looked up at me and immediately turned her head. I guess that made me persona non grata. The sinking feeling that I had from the moment I arrived in this town returned. My stay here wasn't going to end well. I just knew it.
Behind me, Kathy's voice startled me. “Are you working or visiting? I'd like to go home.”
“Hi, Kathy. You're going home?” I asked. No one informed me that I was supposed to have worked overnight.
“Yes, I'd like to go home. Now, are you working or not?” Kathy's attitude was
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